Canadian cable operator Shaw Communications is preparing a 1 Gbps FTTH trial. Google launched its own 1 Gbps trial earlier this month.
Apple has doubled the cap for media downloaded over 3G to 20 Mbps, in preparation for apps that take advantage of the wider screen and enhanced capabilities of the iPad.
Telefonica has completed the €900 million acquisition of German operator Hansenet. The deal had been announced last November.
British newspaper groups have reacted with anger to the news that the BBC plans to launch a dedicated iPhone app, stating that the public broadcaster will be competing with private players in the nascent and fragile mobile news content market.
Ericsson has won an LTE upgrade contract from Japanese carrier Softbank Mobile. The infrastructure firm will supply combined HSPA/LTE base-stations to the carrier, which is looking to ensure sufficient data capacity to meet the needs of a growing subscriber base and increased smartphone usage.
The merger of T-Mobile and Orange’s UK businesses could be given the thumbs up by European regulators this week, after they were convinced the deal would likely result in lower prices for consumers. The combined businesses would hold a 37% share of the UK mobile market.
The chances of experiencing poor call quality or dropped calls are higher when using a smartphone than any other device, consumer survey firm JD Power says. An annual study of the mobile market in the US reveals smartphone users will experience six dropped calls for every 100 made, and poor voice quality in 13 of 100 calls.
Apple could start taking advance orders for its WiFi-only iPad tablet PC from Thursday. The device is due to hit US stores in March.
Anyone using Internet Explorer in Europe will be offered a choice of alternative browsers from March, under terms of an agreement between Microsoft and the European Competition Commission. A choices screen will be included in updates of Microsoft’s Windows XP, Vista, and Windows 7 operating systems.